U.S. patent number 9,044,285 [Application Number 14/293,691] was granted by the patent office on 2015-06-02 for compound hinged rod bender.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Globus Medical Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Globus Medical, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael Harper.
United States Patent |
9,044,285 |
Harper |
June 2, 2015 |
Compound hinged rod bender
Abstract
A compound rod bender includes a first distal arm, a second
distal arm, a rotating and translating barrel, and a compound
hinge. The barrel includes a plurality of bending surfaces
configured to be selectively positioned to contour a rod. The
barrel is positioned on a pivot point between the first and second
distal arms. The compound hinge includes at least one additional
pivot point configured to increase a bending force when the rod is
contoured.
Inventors: |
Harper; Michael (Pottstown,
PA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Globus Medical, Inc. |
Audubon |
PA |
US |
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|
Assignee: |
Globus Medical Inc. (Audubon,
PA)
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Family
ID: |
45695340 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/293,691 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20140260484 A1 |
Sep 18, 2014 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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13219295 |
Aug 26, 2011 |
8770006 |
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61377343 |
Aug 26, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D
7/024 (20130101); A61B 17/8863 (20130101); B21D
7/063 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
17/88 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;72/409.01,409.1,409.11,409.19,409.16,458
;81/349,350,351,383.5,416 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ekiert; Teresa M
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This patent application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/219,295 filed on Aug. 26, 2011, now
allowed, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/377,343 filed on Aug. 26, 2010. The content and subject matter
of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety, including all text and figures, for all purposes.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A compound rod bender suitable for contouring a rod comprising:
a first distal arm having a first rolling element positioned on a
distal end of the first distal arm; a second distal arm having a
second rolling element positioned on a distal end of the second
distal arm; a rotating and translating barrel including a plurality
of bending surfaces configured to be selectively positioned to
contour the rod, wherein the barrel is positioned on a pivot point
between the first and second distal arms; and a compound hinge
including at least one additional pivot point configured to
increase a bending force when the rod is contoured.
2. The compound rod bender of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
bending surfaces are each provided with different radii around a
circumference of the barrel.
3. The compound rod bender of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
bending surfaces are configured to accommodate a variety of
different sized rods.
4. The compound rod bender of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
bending surfaces are configured to provide for varying severities
of bend for the rod.
5. The compound rod bender of claim 1, wherein the rod bender has
an open position configured to receive the rod and a closed
position configured to bend the rod when the rod is positioned
between the first and second rolling elements and the barrel.
6. The compound rod bender of claim 1, wherein the first and second
rolling elements are rotatable.
7. The compound rod bender of claim 1, wherein the first and second
rolling elements include rotating outer bearing portions.
8. The compound rod bender of claim 1, wherein the barrel may be
translated into different positions for accommodating varying rod
diameters.
9. The compound rod bender of claim 1 further comprising a first
arm and a second arm, wherein the at least one additional pivot
point includes a first pivot point coupling the first arm and the
second arm, a second pivot point on the first arm, and a third
pivot point on the second ann.
10. A spinal rod bending system comprising: an elongated spinal
rod; and a compound rod bender suitable for contouring a rod
comprising: a first distal arm having a first rolling element
positioned on a distal end of the first distal arm; a second distal
arm having a second rolling element positioned on a distal end of
the second distal arm; a rotating and translating barrel including
a plurality of bending surfaces configured to be selectively
positioned to contour the rod, wherein the barrel is positioned on
a pivot point between the first and second distal arms; and a
compound hinge including at least one additional pivot point
configured to increase a bending force when the rod is
contoured.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of bending
surfaces are each provided with different radii around a
circumference of the barrel configured to accommodate a variety of
different sized rods and to provide for varying severities of bend
for the rod.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the rod bender has an open
position configured to receive the rod and a closed position
configured to bend the rod when the rod is positioned between the
first and second rolling elements and the barrel.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the first and second rolling
elements are rotatable and include rotating outer bearing
portions.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the barrel may be translated
into different positions for accommodating varying rod
diameters.
15. The system of claim 10 further comprising a first arm and a
second arm, wherein the at least one additional pivot point
includes a first pivot point coupling the first arm and the second
arm, a second pivot point on the first arm, and a third pivot point
on the second arm.
16. A method of manipulating a spinal rod comprising: rotating the
barrel of the compound rod bender of claim 1 to select one of the
plurality of bending surfaces; positioning the spinal rod between
the first and second rolling elements and the barrel; and applying
a force to the compound rod bender such that the spinal rod bends
around the barrel.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein before positioning the spinal
rod between the first and second rolling elements and the barrel,
further comprising pivoting the compound hinge such that the
compound rod bender is in an open position configured to receive
the spinal rod.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein before positioning the spinal
rod between the first and second rolling elements and the barrel,
opening the compound rod bender such that the first and second
distal arms rotate in an arc upward and inward providing vertical
clearance between the first and second distal arms and the
barrel.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the barrel is further rotated
to reveal a different one of the plurality of bending surfaces.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure generally relates to a device for bending
elongated spinal rods and plates.
BACKGROUND
Bones and bony structures are susceptible to a variety of
weaknesses that can affect their ability to provide support and
structure. Weaknesses in bony structures may have many causes,
including degenerative diseases, tumors, fractures, and
dislocations. Advances in medicine and engineering have provided
doctors with a plurality of devices and techniques for alleviating
or curing these weaknesses. Typically, weaknesses in the spine are
corrected by using devises that fuse one or more vertebrae
together. Devices such as rods and plates are utilized to stabilize
adjacent vertebrae. However, these rods and plates need to be bent
or modified to accommodate the anatomy. Therefore, there is a need
for a device which allows a surgeon to easily and accurately bend
spinal rods and plates prior to insertion in to the body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a compound rod bender having a
first handle arm and a second handle arm coupled to each other at a
first pivot point. A body portion is coupled to the first handle
arm at a second pivot point and the second handle arm is coupled to
a third pivot point. The body portion includes a first and a second
distal arm that are configured with first and second rolling
elements which are coupled to the distal ends of the first and
second distal arms. There is also provided a barrel positioned on a
center portion of the body portion. A spinal rod is positionable
between the first and second rolling elements and the barrel for
bending when the first and second handle arms are actuated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further
understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute
a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of the disclosure
and together with the detailed description serve to explain the
principles of the disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural
details of the disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for
a fundamental understanding of the disclosure and the various ways
in which it may be practiced.
FIG. 1 is a compound rod bender according to the present invention
in a closed position;
FIG. 2 is a compound rod bender according to the present invention
in an open position;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the body portion of the compound rod bender
according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the body portion of the compound rod
bender in a closed position according to the present invention;
and
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the compound rod bender in an open
position according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
While it is apparent that the invention disclosed herein is well
calculated to fulfill the objects stated above, it will be
appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments may be
devised by those skilled in the art.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a compound rod bender 10 in a closed
position and in an open position. FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a top view
and the bottom view of the rod bender in greater detail. Turning to
FIGS. 1-5, the rod bender 10 comprises a first handle arm 12 and a
second handle arm 14 that are coupled at a pivot point 16 and pivot
points 18 and 20. The first handle arm 12 and the second handle arm
14 are connected to the body 21 of the compound rod bender 10 at
pivot points 18 and 20, respectively. The rod bender 10 also
comprises a first distal arm 22 and a second distal arm 24 which
are configured about pivot point 26. The body 21 of the rod bender
10 is further provided with a first rolling element 28 and a second
rolling element 30. The first rolling element 28 is positioned on
the distal end of the first distal arm 22 and is configured to be
rotatable. The second rolling element 30 is positioned on the
distal end of the second distal arm 24 and is configured to be
rotatable. The body 21 further provides a rotatable barrel 32
positioned below the first and second rolling elements 28 and 30.
The rolling elements 28 and 30 are configured with rotating outer
bearing portions which are substantially circular which are coupled
to the first and second distal arms by a pin.
The barrel 32 is provided to support a rod when the rod is
positioned between the rolling elements and the distal end of the
barrel 32. The barrel 32 which is positioned on the pivot point 26
acts as a hinge between the two distal arms 22 and 24. The base
portion of the barrel 32 includes a plurality of bending surfaces.
Each bending surface can be selectively positioned into the desired
operating position. The variety of bending surface contours enables
the rod bender to accommodate different size rods, as well as
provides for varying severities or contours of bend to the rod. The
barrel 32 can be selectively rotated to cause the desired bending
surface to be in appropriate position. During the operation of the
rod bender 10, when the first and second handle arms 12 and 14 are
actuated, a rod that is positioned in the rod bender is bent to
accommodate the surgeon's preference. The radius of the bend in the
rod can be manipulated by turning the barrel to various positions,
as the circumference of the barrel is configured with different
radii.
The rod bender of the present invention is operated as follows:
First, the desired bending surface on the barrel is rotated and
engaged into the operating position. The selected surface of the
barrel faces toward the distal end of the instrument and operator
positions a spinal rod between the rolling elements and the barrel
after the handle arms of the instrument are moderately separated.
This causes the distal arms to rotate in an arc upward and inward
providing vertical clearance between the two distal arms and the
barrel. After clearance is obtained, a suitable rod is then placed
onto the selected bending surface of the barrel and the under the
first and second rolling elements. A slight grip by the hands of
the user will bring the distal arms and the rolling elements down
and against the rod trapping it against the bending surface of the
barrel. Additional force will bend the rod around the bending
surface of the barrel. If a more or less severe bend is desired,
the barrel can be rotated so that difference bending surface can be
used.
The present invention includes the use of a compound hinge to
increase the instruments mechanical advantage. The introduction of
three additional pivot points and two lever arms will increase the
instrument's output force dramatically, reducing the force required
to contour a surgical rod when compared to a traditional rod
bender. The relationship between the two sets of lever arms is
directly related to the instrument's output force. It uses a
compound joint to increase the bending force.
The various features and embodiments of the invention described
herein may be used interchangeably with other feature and
embodiments. Finally, while it is apparent that the illustrative
embodiments of the invention herein disclosed fulfill the
objectives stated above, it will be appreciated that numerous
modifications and other embodiments may be devised by one of
ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, it will be understood that
the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications
and embodiments which come within the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
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